Frank Holmes (filmmaker)

Frank Holmes (1908–1990) was one of Manitoba's first filmmakers, filming the documentary Seaport of the Prairies in 1925 when he was just 17 years old.^[1][2][3][4] He is also remembered for the documentaries Beyond the Steel and Each Year They Come.

Frank Holmes
Born	1908
Died	1990 (aged 81–82) Toronto, Canada
Other names	Francis Joseph Sloan Holmes
Occupation	Filmmaker
Known for	Filming the documentary Seaport of the Prairies

Holmes had to go to court to receive his payment for making Seaport of the Prairies.^[5]

In 1928, he produced Forest Fire Fighters of the Skies.^[6]

The Archives of Manitoba preserves 29 reels of his films.^[7]

References

1. "Memorable Manitobans: Francis Joseph Sloan "Frank" Holmes (1908–1990)". Government of Manitoba. Retrieved January 15, 2017. He was among Western Canada's most important commercial photographers, specializing in films for agricultural companies.
2. Frank Holmes at IMDb
3. Seaport of the Prairies at IMDb
4. "The Seaport of the Prairies". Archives of Manitoba. Retrieved January 15, 2017. The film is silent, but title cards provide substantial narration throughout. Participants in the expedition are seen, including Thomas, Holmes, and businessmen and politicians including former Winnipeg mayor Charles Frederick Gray, and Member of the Manitoba Legislature William Ivens.
5. "Seaport of the Prairies (1925)". Winnipeg Free Press. Retrieved January 15, 2017.
6. "FOREST FIRE FIGHTERS OF THE SKIES". Screen culture. Retrieved January 15, 2017.
7. "Francis J. S. Holmes fonds". Archives of Manitoba. Retrieved January 15, 2017. Holmes first film "The Seaport of the Prairies," was acquired by Archives of Manitoba from an unknown donor. Other Holmes films, including "Mapping Manitoba," "Fur Rehabilitation in Manitoba Marshlands," and "Trapping on the Summerberry Fur Rehabilitation Project" were transferred to the Archives by government departments.